Team to Host Special Thursday Practice at Verizon Center

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals will begin their 2012-13 training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Sunday, Jan. 13, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Training camp will last six days with the NHL regular season beginning on Saturday, Jan. 19. This marks the Capitals’ sixth training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the Metro-accessible, inside-the-beltway practice facility that features two NHL-sized rinks. All on-ice sessions, like every Capitals practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, will be open to the public and free of charge.

The Capitals complete training camp roster and schedule is attached and listed below.

The Capitals will open the 2012-13 regular season versus the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. The Capitals home opener will be on Tuesday, Jan. 22, vs. the Winnipeg Jets at Verizon Center.

The Washington Capitals will host Fan Appreciation Week from Jan. 13-18, offering fans several special events and giveaways leading up to the Jan. 19 season opener. The week begins simultaneously with the start of training camp at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 13, with the Red Rockers, mascot Slapshot, face painters and airbrush artists, inflatables and in-game announcer Wes Johnson.

On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Capitals will host the Caps Fan Appreciation Special Event at Verizon Center from 6-9 p.m. Fans are invited to come celebrate the season with an open Capitals practice that includes complimentary hot dogs, fountain soda, popcorn, pretzels, nachos and ice cream that will be provided for all guests in attendance. The Capitals will host an open practice at 7 p.m. and select Capitals players will be available for a question-and-answer session with all fans in attendance after the practice as well as games, photo opportunities, a slapshot cage, face painting and autographs from Capitals legends Rod Langway and Peter Bondra. In addition the Verizon Center Team Store will be open for Capitals merchandise purchases with a 20% discount on regular-priced merchandise for all fans attending Thursday’s practice.

Fans can sign up at WashingtonCaps.com for a chance to win a variety of prizes that will be awarded throughout each day of Fan Appreciation Week, such as meet and greets with a Caps player, team-signed sticks, player-signed pucks and pairs of tickets to a Caps game in a catered suite. Team mascot Slapshot will be traveling all over the D.C. area to meet fans and give away free Capitals prizes. Fans can follow his locations on Facebook and Twitter.

In addition to these prizes, season-ticket holders will also have the opportunity to win dinner for two in the Acela Club restaurant and an Opening Night Olympia ride, meet and greets with a Caps player, a private pregame penalty box visit with a photo on the Verizon Center ice and access for four to the VIP Dewar's Coaches Club All-Inclusive area, a Capitals jersey signed by team captain Alex Ovechkin and dinner for two in the Acela Club restaurant, a $250 Verizon Center Team Store shopping spree and dinner for four at The Capital Grille with a Caps alumnus.

In addition to the daily prize giveaway, Capitals season-ticket holders will also receive:
• Each full-season account owner will receive a food and beverage Monumental Money credit on their digital season-ticket card to be used at 100- and 400-level concessions including the Hard Times and Greene Turtle concession stands as well as portable locations (excluding Dunkin’ Donuts) at Capitals games throughout the season.
• All full season-ticket holders will receive a 20% merchandise discount at the Verizon Center Team Store all season long.
• Exclusive full season-ticket holder Caps Club Red 365 long sleeve T-shirt (one per account).
• The opportunity to purchase additional friend and family tickets at full season-ticket holder discounted prices throughout the season for select games.
• “Thank You” recognition listing as a Caps Club Red 365 member on an exclusive sign on the 100 and 400 levels.

For media: Players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their on- and off-ice sessions (approximate times are listed below). Those media members seeking specific players should check with the Capitals media relations department in advance for the best time to gain access to individuals as it will likely change daily. Head coach Adam Oates will be made available to the media following the on-ice session of each day.